Friday, Jan. 04, 2008

Coastal Carolina lands prized receiving recruit

It may be impossible to replace star receiver Jerome Simpson, but Coastal Carolina has landed a commitment from a receiver with similar athleticism.

Former West Ashley standout Keith Graham, who played on the postgraduate team at Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) in 2006, has committed to the Chanticleers and will enroll in school next semester, he confirmed this week.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound receiver will bring size and speed to a receiving corps that loses Simpson, the Big South's all-time leading receiver, and Santini Washington to graduation. They combined for 43 percent of the team's catches in 2007.

Graham, who will also compete in track, has outstanding measurables, and had a roundabout journey to Conway.

He played football and track for two years in high school. He graduated with three individual Class AAAA state championships in track and field - two in the long jump and one in the triple jump - and was ranked the nation's No. 1 long jumper as a senior in 2006. In football, he starred for two years and was a Shrine Bowl selection in 2005.

Despite interest from every track program in the Southeastern Conference, Graham chose to attend Fork Union for the fall of 2006. He led the team with 17 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns - an impressive feat considering the talent the prep school has produced.

Graham graduated from Fork Union last spring and planned to attend South Carolina on a track scholarship this past fall. However, he was one of several athletes, including two football players, denied admission to the university just weeks before the fall semester began.

``The whole fall semester I've been trying to find schools,'' Graham said.

Graham became initially interested in Coastal through Justin Cramer, a friend and reserve quarterback for the Chanticleers. Overtures led to an official visit, which led to Graham committing. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

``I'll have plenty of time to get where they want me to be before next seasons starts,'' said Graham, who will participate in spring practice. ``I'll have a lot of time to learn to play on the collegiate level.''

Graham runs a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and has a 36-inch vertical. His best long jump is 24 feet, 6 inches and his best high jump is 6 feet, 8 inches. Both of those numbers are slightly lower than the school records Simpson has recorded in each event.

``What they are probably going to have to do is upgrade their track facilities,'' said Richard Luden, the athletics director and Graham's former track coach at West Ashley. ``[They] might need to put some bleachers in because a lot of people are going to come watch him. He's that good.

``In his technique he has a lot to learn. But if he works at it, I think he's a world-class athlete.''